Philadelphia-area schools close, delay openings due to snow

Many districts move to virtual learning after weekend storm dumps 10 inches

Jan. 27, 2026 at 5:39pm

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Communities around the Philadelphia area are still cleaning up after a winter storm dumped nearly 10 inches of snow in many places over the weekend. Bitterly cold temperatures are making that more difficult than usual. As a result, the School District of Philadelphia and Archdiocese of Philadelphia schools in the city will move to virtual learning on Wednesday, January 28th, while other districts in the Delaware Valley region have announced school closings or delayed openings.

Why it matters

School closures and virtual learning days can significantly disrupt families' schedules and routines, especially for working parents who need to find alternative childcare arrangements. The decision to close schools is not made lightly, as it impacts thousands of students and their families across the region.

The details

The School District of Philadelphia and Archdiocese of Philadelphia schools in the city will move to virtual learning on Wednesday, January 28th, due to the lingering effects of the weekend snowstorm. Other districts in the Delaware Valley region have announced full school closings or delayed openings for the same day.

  • The winter storm dumped nearly 10 inches of snow in many places around the Philadelphia area over the weekend.
  • The Philadelphia-area schools will be closed, have delayed openings, or move to virtual learning on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

The players

School District of Philadelphia

The public school district serving the city of Philadelphia.

Archdiocese of Philadelphia

The Roman Catholic diocese covering the city of Philadelphia and surrounding counties.

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The takeaway

The decision to close schools or move to virtual learning is never an easy one, but is necessary to ensure the safety of students and staff when severe winter weather hits the region. These disruptions can be challenging for families, underscoring the importance of having backup childcare plans in place for unexpected school closures.